Anti virus help

[goat]

Have Mcaffee antivirus and have scanned my computer 5 times or so and still have one constant site that pops up. Its adware/spyware.....is there anything free out there that I can get to clean up my computer.

 

[wherzwaldo]

A few things that have worked for me:

1. Run a Disk Cleanup (Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Cleanup). Make sure that Temporary Files and Temporary Internet Files are both selected.
2. Open IE and delete your cookies.
3. Also in IE, disable any IE addons that look suspicious* (e.g. anything whose manufacturer doesn't sound familiar or is absent). Tools -> Manage Addons -> Enable or Disable, and choose "Add-ons that have been loaded by IE".
4. You might consider resetting IE to default settings, which disables all addons. Tools -> Internet Options -> Advanced -> Reset. (Note that this doesn't delete your bookmarks.)
5. Download and run Autoruns. Look through the entire list and delete anything that looks suspicious*.

* - "Suspicious" in this case means any entry whose manufacturer doesn't sound familiar. Obviously anything from Microsoft or Adobe, for instance, is legit. Also, entries that look something like {52A4234-0B35C9-.....} are typically bad.

 

[wewokahorn]

Try this site. I've had good luck getting rid of junk using the freebies listed under "security". SuperAntiSpyware is especially good, as is MalwareBytes Anti-Malware.Link

 

[HornBud]

The Link

Download the VIPRE program. There's a free 10 day trial (it's a fully enabled trial, not crippled), if you want to keep it, it's $30/year.

You'll have to uninstall the McCaffee to install VIPRE, but you won't be sorry at all.

 

[jmatt]

Go get a copy of Spybot Search & Destroy (freeware) :

Link

And Spyware Blaster (freeware) :

Link

I use those with a good antivirus software (I use Avast!, also freeware. AVG is another good free one). Keep them up to date and run scans regularly (Spyware Blaster is a blocker, you just need to keep it updated). I have never had a virus or spyware on my home system using those products.

If you have something you can't get rid of, there are a bunch of good sites that can help, the Gizmo's listed above is a good one.

For me, I'm partial to MajorGeeks.com, they are very helpful. Check their "Guides and FAQs" section first...

Link

Registry and other cleanup:

EasyCleaner (more freeware) :

Link

FYI, you shouldn't normally need to clean your registry more than once every six or eight months or so (probably even longer), unless you load and unload a lot of software, or have serious malware/spyware problems.

You should also have a good firewall. I use Zone Alarm.

Link

But Microsoft's is supposed to be pretty darn good.

Some handy hints:

Turn off the preview pane for email.
Turn off automation in your email program.
Avoid using Windows Explorer for internet browsing, try Firefox or Opera.
Avoid Windows email program, try Mozilla Thunderbird.
Set your browser to high security, then use the "Trusted Zone" settings for sites you consider safe.
Avoid sites like "joke of the day", "funny picture of the day", and be careful about sites with "free" backgrounds or smileys for your email and the like...
Porn sites are notorious for trying to load malware and spyware.

 

[goat]

Damn...thanks guys.

Looks like i will have to be more careful with the porn.

? though...why is my Mcafee not able to cleanse this?

 

[kevwun]

Malware Bytes is an excellent program and it scans fast.

 

[kevwun]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[HornBud]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[SAChick]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[jmatt]

One thing to note. Most virus scanners do not do a good job finding malware/spyware. That's why you need a spyware scanner/blocker.

 

[goat]

you guys are awesome....first thing i did was get rid of my toolbars...made the system run very efficient...

then follow the thread recs down the list....amazing..no more virus..thanks guys.

love the power of HF.

 

[pulque]

I have used AVG free for years. Works great. But I also use it in conjunction with Spyblaster and Spybot search and destroy...

 

[GatorDave]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[jmatt]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[kevwun]

If you aren't very comfortable with computers, I would stick with the windows firewall. Zone Alarm can cause some issues, especially if you have a home network setup.

 

[GatorDave]

Well I'm certainly no computer programmer or IT professional, but I've been around computers a long time and have more than just a basic understanding. I have used ZoneAlarm for a long time now on my old XP machines, and have never had a probelm with it. I'm competent enough to go into the settings and tweak what needs to be tweaked. But like I said, if the new Windows firewall is generally considered solid, then it's a moot point. I just haven't read or heard any reviews on Microsoft's new security programs, so I don't really have a feel for it.

 

[HornBud]

For firewalls, check into this:
The Link

 

[01 grad]

Malwarebytes is very good and is probably what removed it for you.. But you are not done and possibly still not clean. If you had a trojan removed you need to run HijackThis and have your log analyzed. Many forums have volunteers that know how to read them. Techspot.com is a good one.